Author: MaryAlice

The Aurora Public Library District is excited to announce The Indiana State Park Centennial Annual Pass Library Check-Out Program, a partnership with Indiana Public Libraries, the Indiana State Library and the Indiana State Parks. 2016 is an exciting year combining the Indiana Bicentennial and the Indiana State Parks Centennial. The two state organizations envisioned 2016 as a year to encourage and introduce Indiana residents to our beautiful state parks. The Indiana State Library purchased one Annual Entrance Permit, referred to for this program as the Park Pass, and distributed the Park Pass to each public Library. Libraries were able to purchase additional Park Passes to make the passes available to patrons at each building in a Library District. Check out one of the Aurora Public Library District’s Park Pass and begin to explore.

I want to challenge APLD patrons to check out a pass and visit or revisit a state park.

I enjoy exploring Indiana parks

I grew up visiting the Versailles State Park on family camping trips. Sometimes a hike to Bat Cave, which always scared me to death, was the memory maker. I never entered the cave, way too scary for me. We enjoyed campfires with campfire pies and smores at night while singing around the fire. I remember getting to meet other campers on walks around the campgrounds and throughout the park. Versailles gave me the opportunity to get a sunburn at the beach, catch a fish at the dam, and visit the horses waiting for a rider to take them onto a trail.

After college, I went to visit my college roommate and her husband. We then went for the weekend to Potato Creek State Park to camp. This Park is in northern Indiana and I didn’t realize how flat Indiana can be. I keep waiting for the nestling feeling that I get in southern Indiana. But without northern Indiana flat areas farming in Indiana would be very different. So I learned to embrace that we have many different geographic areas and that is great to explore.

When I was a school librarian on the west side of Indiana, I spent some weekends at Turkey Run State Park and love the covered bridges. To me, covered bridges bring a sense of calm and peaceful protection so I love traveling through them. I remember the hiking through the trees and ravines. A special spot was along Sugar Creek.

I worked with Kathy, a special ed teacher whose passion was Indiana History. Kathy and I would take weekend drives around west central Indiana and she would share what happened on that land throughout Indiana’s history. My favorite was when I learned about Tecumseh, the Shawnee Indian, and his brother Tenskwatawa (The Prophet) who were living where the Tippecanoe River meets the Wabash near the town of Battle Ground northeast of Lafayette. The story takes place in 1808, Tecumseh wanted to persuade tribes to join his coalition to stop their common enemy. Tecumseh left Tenskwatawa to speak to the tribes gathered while he continued to travel and meet other tribes. Since Tenskwatawa told the story of what was going to happen he became The Prophet and they called the settlement Prophetstown. William Henry Harrison, governor of the Indiana Territory, became alarmed at the number of people at Prophetstown and sent troops to be nearby. Prophet was afraid the troops were going to attack so he decided to strike first. (The next part is my favorite part of the story) Prophetstown was on a flat area nearby a hill with rocks. Prophet explained to his people that he was going up on the rock and would chant. As long as they could hear him chant they would be safe and protected. Unfortunately, this did not go well for the tribes peoples, but Prophet had positioned himself where he could make an escape. (Now for the amazing news) In 1970s, I visited Prophetstown many times and once while visiting and walking to the rock where Prophet chanted those many years ago, Prophet’s spirit jumped into me and when I hear his name or the story I can’t help myself and the chanting takes over. Prophetstown State Park now allows this area to be preserved and the story retold. Perhaps, you can take a trip and see the rock and the field. When you come back, if you didn’t hear The Prophet come see me and we will see if his chanting reconnects with me.

While working at APLD, I have attended meetings held at Brown County State Park, Clifty Falls State Park, Hardy Lake, and Spring Mill State Parks. These meetings remind me how beautiful southern Indiana really is and something we should see as through a child’s eyes.

Last summer, while fighting cancer, my husband bought us a small motor home and we went to Brookville Lake and the Whitewater Memorial State Park. We met my daughter and son-in-law to camp, rest and again enjoy a campfire. Michaela and Gunnar went on several walks and Mike let the artist in him come out while I rested and gained strength. It was a beautiful park and a wonderful time.

Thanks for listening to me meander through Indiana and their parks again. I would love for you to share with me your park experiences you make this year. Email me your trips and I will build a blog post later this year of our APLD Patrons Exploring Indiana Parks During the Bicentennial.

The Aurora Public Library District is excited to announce The Indiana State Park Centennial Annual Pass Library Check-Out Program, a partnership with Indiana Public Libraries, the Indiana State Library and the Indiana State Parks. 2016 is an exciting year combining the Indiana Bicentennial and the Indiana State Parks Centennial. The two state organizations visioned 2016 as a year to encourage and introduce Indiana residents to our beautiful state parks. The Indiana State Library purchased one Annual Entrance Permit, referred to for this program as the Park Pass, and distributed the Park Pass to each public Library. Libraries were able to purchase additional Park Passes to make the passes available to patrons at each building in a Library District. The Aurora Public Library District today makes the Annual Pass available for patrons to check out.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Who developed this program?

This is a partnership between the Indiana State Library and the Indiana State Parks, a division of the DNR, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, in honor of the Indiana State Bicentennial and the Indiana State Parks Centennial.

Why was this program developed?

To encourage Hoosiers to visit their public Library and the state parks. State Librarian Jacob Speer said, “The State Library is excited about its bicentennial partnership with Indiana State Parks. The partnership gives library patrons an opportunity to explore the many beautiful state park locations across Indiana simply by using their library to check out free passes.”

What does the program do?

The program provides access to Indiana State Parks and Indiana State Forest Recreation Areas by using the pass for gate entrance fees between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.

How many passes does my Library have available?

The Indiana State Library purchased the first Library Park Pass for our Library District (APLD). The APLD purchased passes so that the passes would be available at the Aurora Public Library, The Dillsboro Public Library and the Local History Library @ the Depot.

If the APLD Park Pass is not available, how much will it cost me to visit a state park?

The fee is $7.00 a day for a non-commercial vehicle with an Indiana license plates, every day including holidays. The fee admits the driver and passengers. This applies to all State Parks and state-managed lakes, excluding Falls of the Ohio State Park’s Interpretive Center.

I heard that parks don’t have someone at the gate all year round so when are gate fees required at state parks? Is it all year or just in the summer?

The Indiana State Parks website says: Operation of entrance gates varies from park to park and season to season. Generally speaking, gates are operated full-time from April through October and on weekends the rest of the year but that may not always be the case if the park is hosting a special event or other feature where a controlled gate is important. It is best to call and check before visiting if there is a question.

I heard that seniors can get a free pass. Can you tell me about this?

For Indiana residents who are at least age 65 years or are a resident eligible for Social Security disability payments under 42 U.S. C. 401 (proof of eligibility must be presented at time of purchase and disabled individual must be present in the vehicle at time of use) can purchase a $25.00 Golden Hoosier Passport which admits a noncommercial vehicle, driver and passengers. Good from January 1 until December 31 of year issued. The price is 1/2 the Resident Annual Entrance Permit Fee.

I want to purchase a pass for me to use this year. Where do I get it?

You can purchase a 2016 Annual Entrance Permit at a State Park or online at the IN State Park Store.

What programs are available at the Indiana State Parks to celebrate its centennial anniversary?

The Indiana State Parks system was a gift to the people of Indiana in 1916 in celebration of the state’s centennial. Read more about activities that are part of the State Parks Centennial Celebration at INStateParks100.com

In today’s job market you have to have all your i’s dotted and t’s crossed. Resume’s are one of those documents that you are never finished editing and tweaking. If you are starting your job search or just polishing up your resume this post will help you get on the right track. People who are looking at your resume are typically busy, only spending a couple of seconds glancing over your resume before moving on. If your information isn’t clear and easy to read or your qualifications hidden, your resume won’t get the time it deserves. Get your resume ship shape with these 5 tips.

Make it clear where the contact can reach you at.

It doesn’t help you get a job if the person trying to reach you has to search for your number or your email address. Also, along these lines make sure your contact information is up to date.

Keep the design simple and classic.

This is definitely a less is more situation. Don’t crowd your text with graphics or fluff. Let the words you’ve written about your experience shine.

Don’t lie.

This is the worst thing you can do on your resume. Be truthful about your experience and skills. Your future employer will see through a lie on your resume and it will do nothing but set back your job search and hurt your chance.

Make it unique for each job you apply for.

Tailor each resume for the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a management position be sure to highlight the activities at past jobs that you would apply to the new management position.

Books

An Online Resource

The Library also has an online resource that can help patrons from their home or the computer stations in the Library. Tutor.com offers help with resumes among other services for adults. They also offer homework help to kids, parents, and teachers. Have your Library card handy to log in and use this online resource.

Inspire

Inspire is a collection of databases provided by the Indiana State Library. Searching the Inspire database returns all kinds of resources to help you with writing or updating your resume including academic journals, eBooks, and newspaper articles.

Today, with it’s chilly temperatures and fresh snowfall it is the perfect time to enjoy a great bowl of soup! January is National Soup month in case you missed it on our Events Calendar, check it out now and see the soup cookbooks we featured. Fix a family favorite or if you are looking for a new soup to put together come into The Library or visit our Digital Downloads to check out a cookbook.

Thank you for your patience this afternoon while our Catalog was having a connectivity issue. This issue is now fixed and you can log into your account or the IDDC (Indiana Digital Download Center) like normal.

The Aurora Public Library District has a new website! We are glad you are here! Our goal with the redesign was to create an online place for you to get information you need and to interact with the library staff.

Some new features you should check out include the Best Seller list on the homepage, our new library blog, the events calendar. You can now add events directly to your Google or iCal.

Search the website for the information you are looking for or the catalog for your next great book. Either is simple to use and at your fingertips.

We want this space to be useful for you if you have a question that should be added to our FAQ page send us your suggestions in the contact form.

Ugly sweaters have become a huge part of the holiday party season with people decorating and coming up with their own designs or stores stocking outrageous styles. This year the Library hosted an Ugly Sweater Party for the teens. And boy some ugly sweaters showed up to the party, we had a blast!

On December 5th the Aurora branch hosted a Books and Cookies Event. We decorated cookies, decorated bags as reindeer and listened to stories. We have a couple more holiday events happening at the library, be sure to check out our Event Calendar for more programs to enjoy!

Thanks to all who came and enjoyed spending time with us at the Library! We want to wish you all a happy holiday!

In the midst of the holiday rush, one of the treasures of the season is the time spent with family members, celebrating traditions and also creating new memories. Patricia Polacco has written dozens of books for children and many of these are about the special bonds within extended families. On her web page (about Patricia) she talks of the joys of being raised in households that included her grandparents, the reason she incorporates relationships between children and the elderly in much of her writing.

During this holiday season, find the time to share one of Patricia Polacco’s seasonal titles. These tend to be a bit wordier than some picture books, so they work best for children who can snuggle in and listen. Don’t forget to include older kids and grandparents as well! Older children often say they miss being read to by their parents, and including extended family members may open up some great opportunities for sharing recollections of their past holiday experiences.